mtg notes from 7/21

Hi Lake Neighbors!

Really nice meeting – good turnout. There are a few things below that need your input, please write back with thoughts, ideas, responses.

Thank you to Lois at FM Smith Park Rec Center for letting us use their space all this year…one more meeting to go for 2011 and then we revisit our meeting frequency and format and location and plan for 2012. If you have input, ie: if you would have an eaiser time if something in particular was different then email me and we will put it into the mix when we figure out if we are going to make any adjustments. We definitely would like to move upstairs if we are going to continue to use FM Smith because of the battle for sound we have with the loud freezer we have in the room and the professional ping pong practice going on above us. Lois mentioned a change in day of the week would give us a better chance if we want to continue there.

Before meeting there, we used to rotate through houses, we also met at Regen Church quite a lot. How are you all feeling about how it has been having it at FM Smith Rec?

SO…we had great guests. The SF Fire Dept, J. Moses from the New Parkway & also our OPD came by – so we had a lot to talk about.

The Oakland Fire Department – firehouse #16 – came and gave us an overview of all they do (which is vast) and also about the free trainings we all have access to for First Aid, CPR and Emergency Preparedness (CORE). They made sure to let us know that they are all very open to being approached when we see them in the neighborhood -- or if you want to drop by – if you have anything you want to discuss with them.

Ruby, our Emergency Prep lead is currently organizing a 2nd round of CORE1 & CORE 2 trainings for us (we did this a while back and there is more, new interest). CORE 3 has to be done on their sites (because you get to light and put out a fire!). Please email Ruby (rstein94606@yahoo.com ) if you want to get those trainings under your belt or you can go directly through the regular program (core@oaklandnet.com).

J. Moses from The New Parkway also came from his home in Berkeley to fill us in on where things stand for his process with the Chengs who own the Parkway.

There was MUCH discussion all over this subject because we all are so deeply effected by the loss of our Parkway and are heartbroken to have it gone for a minute much less 2 years!!! But it all boils down to this: 1) The New Parkway effort is now looking for other possible venues nearby…they are ready and funded, but they have tried every thing to make it work out at the Parkway with the Chengs and they feel that it won’t work there at this time. 2) The Chengs are very good, kind people – very likeable (which is important for us to know)…and their ideas about business are deeply set and vastly unlike anything most of us would operate from. 3) The Chengs do not have a mortgage to carry on the Parkway, and while of course they have taxes, etc to cover and they are obviously losing rental income all this time – they are not as strongly financially motivated. 4) The Chengs want to be a part of the operations of the theatre and this complicates every step for whomever manages to actually get an agreeable agreement through with them. 5) MANY many different people have tried extensively to work this problem out (the iLikeTheParkway people, many business neighbors, Pat Kernighan to name a few…most recently Moses with The New Parkway). 6) It can still happen, it will likely be another year or more – in the mean time there can be a few theatres with the same concept that come first. This type of business is very successful, even in hard financial times. Thank you Moses for coming and for your tremendous effort under the pressure of our immense hopes and for delivering the difficult news in person.

OPD have us an update of a trend that to watch out for that at 10pm there is a current pattern of muggings that are happening to people coming home, getting out of their vehicle. The attackers are hiding until the person gets out of their vehicle to come inside and a gun is held to their head. Be super awake coming home always. Things happen in the daylight, too.

Adding vigilance does NOT mean losing any of your warmth and friendliness to passersby – make sure to always greet the people around you.

More safety talk was had about neighbors putting up cameras (Hoang mentioned a helpful video on youtube (called “FBIcaughtoncamera”) that is supposedly helpful for those planning cameras. One thing be sure to do is to put the OPD emergency # (510 777-3211) on your cell phone (program it to the number 9, even), and you can also put the non-emergency # 510 777-3333. ALSO, I have all the neighbors I can on my cell phone with the cap letters NBR first so I can find them fast and that has been helpful often.



It was mentioned that the new captain (captain Tull) may be a good possibility for that missing piece we have been seeking for FAST info on crimes in our neighborhood so we can be immediately informed and also possible extended eyes and ears when needed.

On the restorative justice front – there was a training at Berkeley Public Library I believe this weekend! Keep an eye out, there is great interest and great need. If anyone was able to make it to that training and would be willing to share what happened and would like to join forces with other Lake Neighbors in this please email!!! I looked up the speaker and will try to track down a possibility for us there.

EVENTS! Betsy and Chimene from our events crew were there to let us know all the great things they have going for us...we are closing off our block on E. 17th between 3rd & 4th Aves (close to Luckys & Walgreens) for National Night Out this coming Tuesday from 7 - 9 pm...we are looking for food donations, but we will have music and things to do and great neighbors to hang out with. It is an alcohol free event. Come early to help set up (around 6)...!

Betsy will send out the plans (the amazing plans) she designed for the Walgreens garden we have in the beginning stages...if you want to get involved with that you can email her or wait until she sends out her email about this.

Another event coming up is the next OUTDOOR MOVIE -- we are only doing one this year, so make sure you don't miss it. It is a really fun time, and we are aiming for one of the last 2 weekends in September. Bring anyone you like, bring a picnic, bring chairs to sit in and bring layers so you can be warm if the temperature goes down as night comes. We always start when the sun goes down, but people get there early to visit, help set up get good seats. We project a movie onto the apartment building from Regeneration Church's parking lot on E. 15th Street and 3rd Ave. We are still choosing the movie, but we will try to have a cartoon first and maybe some music playing while we wait for the sun to go down.

Our great friend Jennie Gerard (from Pat K's office) came as she often does and she pitched in some new info on the development going on around here – she let us know that the traffic light on Park at Newton should be up in August AND that the 12th street project is 3 weeks away from opening up one of the 2 bridges!

Our next meeting is October 20th from 6-8 @ FM Smith Recreation Building.

Okay, that is all for the moment…stay tuned and involved. Write back and make sure to get over to all the upcoming events.

Much Friendship!

Sasha